Red Kettle donations down in Metro Detroit

The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign is running short of its goal in metro Detroit.

The charitable organization's Eastern District has a goal of $8.2 million. It’s raised about $3 million with only a week and a half left to go in the campaign.

Major Curtiss Hartley is a youth officer with the organization.

"We at the Salvation Army are seeing greater numbers of our neighbors coming in needing the basic: food and shelter, warm coats for the winter, not to mention gifts for the kids under the trees," Hartley said.

The Salvation Army’s West Michigan group is faring better.

Spokesman Roger Snider said kettle donations are up about one percent in Kent County, where the goal is $1.6 million.